High school girls basketball preview

A BAKER'S DOZEN

Here are 13 large and small schools who will be worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses (team records and player statistics reflect last season):

LARGE SCHOOLS

Beyer (11-16): Patriots have spent two seasons preparing for this: They have a veteran group led by 6-2 C Becca Biard and 5-7 G Brittney Jackson. Three-game losing skid ended playoff hopes late last season. Can the Patriots erase that memory?

Premium content for only $0.99

Ceres (9-16): 'Dogs have a fine tandem in 5-9 junior G/F Jode Johnson and 6-2 sophomore C Jamie Beck. This team is a year from competing for the VOL, but their performance this season will help set the foundation for a likely title next year.

Davis (15-12): 5-9 PG Breihanna Castellija

(10 ppg, 6 apg, 4 spg) and 5-9 F Michelle Davis

(10 ppg, 8 rpg) are expected to be cornerstones as the Spartans integrate talented newcomers -- Davis won the MMC JV crown last season.

East Union (18-10): VOL MVP Rachel McDaniel has a strong backcourt partner in 3-point threat Ashley Rose. Losing six players from title-winning team means newcomers need to produce quickly. F Alyssa Wegner will be the threat under the hoop.

Los Banos (11-16): C Brooke Silva (18 ppg) is back for her third season, and is joined by guards Melisa Sanders, Rachel Waldron and Michelle Ceja. Waldron is the top defensive player, and C Lexi Da La Cruz provides a second threat inside.

Modesto (15-13): Four quality starters, and the addition of 5-9 junior G/F Jessica Rodriguez (out last year with knee injury), make Panthers a threat every night. No true post player, but that will allow this athletic group to get out and go end to end.

Pitman (13-14): There might not be a more aggressive team in the CCC, and the undersized Pride will need every bit of that tenacity. G/F Katie Staack (12.3 ppg) is a threat from anywhere on the court and the Pride will play tough defense.

Turlock (23-6): They don't get any better than 5-8 PG Rachel Finnegan (12 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg), The Bee's '08 Player of the Year. 5-9 C Candace Sakuda steps into the post and look for 5-8 F Natalie Dykzeul to bang around under the hoop.

SMALL SCHOOLS

Bret Harte (21-7): The Bullfrogs are bound to struggle one of these years, but it's not going to be this season. 5-8 Sarah Spellenberg (6.5 ppg, 3.7 apg), 6-0 Sonya Garrison (6.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and 5-9 Kelli Carlon comprise a tough inside trio.

Denair (5-23): Graduation of Jessi Cole (15 ppg) leaves a scoring void that will be filled by a group, including underclass guards Mallorie Gallardo and Madison Norquist. F Leneea Werner will work around the hoop and grab rebounds.

Hilmar (20-6): The 'Jackets might not have a player average double figures, but that's because PG Lindsey Mendes moves the ball so well. Caitlin Benning and Shelbi Santos are good options inside. Steha Brazil led JV team to title last year.

Hughson (18-8): Coach Dennis Hobby usually has one of the district's stingiest defense, but Huskies will need to find a way to score more. The answer might be 5-9 junior Madelyn Birchall and 5-3 G Karli Stark, both good ballhandlers.

Le Grand (19-5): All-District G Jennifer Hansen (17.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.7 spg, 4.4 apg), a four-year starter, is one of five returning starters. Miranda Flores is a 3-point threat and Veronica Moreno will guard one of the opponent's top scorers.

Orestimba (9-18): C Sarah Spaulding (6.7 rpg, 2.2 blocks) will need to increase her scoring for the Warriors to challenge Hilmar. New coach Scott Felber is still learning his roster, and has proven players in G Candice Caetano and F Ryan Ramos.

Patterson (15-12): 6-1 Cassie Coble (10.7 ppg, 2.5 apg, 7.2 rpg) was one of the district's leading sophomores last year, and shot 38 percent from the 3-point arc. 5-7 junior G Amber Bond needs to provide scoring to make up for graduation losses.

10 QUESTIONS

1. Is this the year Modesto Christian makes the state final? The Stanislaus District's top program under coach Robb Spencer, it has four starters back -- including potential Players of the Year Taryn Garza and Brandi Henton. A D-V final is about the only challenge remaining for MC.

2. How will Turlock's Rachel Finnegan, The Bee's Player of the Year as a junior, amaze us this season? The region's most versatile player, look for her scoring to increase.

3. Can Sonora recover from the loss of All-District underclass center Brittany Malone, who is out with a torn ACL?

4. Will the MMC be able to boost its power rating? Weak schedules and poor records limited it to one playoff team last season, and that was only because an "outbracket" game was created for champion Davis.

What did Jerry Brown accomplish as California’s governor? He is the state’s youngest, oldest and longest-serving leader. His legacy touches budgets, the environment, water and prisons. A look back at his career.